Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island
Encyclopedia
Naval Air Technical Training Center Ward Island is a former United States Navy
base located on Ward Island
in Corpus Christi
, Texas
. Today the base location is used by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
.
for a radar station and training base commissioned in July 1942. After the island was acquired by the U.S. Navy, the base provided training to the Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Air Force
personnel. In 1943, the base was renamed Naval Air Technical Training Center. The training center included 87 main buildings such as, barracks, classrooms, administration building, mess hall, library, and chapel.
In October 1947, after the base closed, the island became the site of the University of Corpus Christi, which eventually developed into Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
base located on Ward Island
Ward Island (Texas)
Ward Island is an island located in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas. The entire island is used for Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi base.Ward Island is situated in Oso Bay in the Coastal Bend of Texas...
in Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. Today the base location is used by Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi , also known as Truax Field, is a naval base located six miles southeast of the central business district of Corpus Christi, in Nueces County, Texas, USA.-History:...
.
History
During World War II, Ward Island was acquired by the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
for a radar station and training base commissioned in July 1942. After the island was acquired by the U.S. Navy, the base provided training to the Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
personnel. In 1943, the base was renamed Naval Air Technical Training Center. The training center included 87 main buildings such as, barracks, classrooms, administration building, mess hall, library, and chapel.
In October 1947, after the base closed, the island became the site of the University of Corpus Christi, which eventually developed into Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.